You're about to learn how to build real software — apps, games, tools — using AI that writes the code for you. No experience required. Just follow the steps below.
Already built your own PC? Done video editing? Managed a team? Those are real skills — problem-solving, troubleshooting, creative thinking. You're more ready than you think.
Get StartedEverything you need to start building. Takes about 10 minutes.
Use this referral link to sign up and get a free trial of Claude Pro. Pro includes Claude Code and gives you access to Opus, the most capable model. This is all you need to pay for — no separate API keys or billing.
Download the LTS version (the big green button) from nodejs.org. Run the installer and accept all defaults. This gives you the tools needed to install Claude Code.
Download from git-scm.com and run the installer with all defaults. Claude Code needs Git to work properly on Windows. Git also includes Git Bash, which gives you a proper terminal.
uv is a fast Python package manager you'll need for Level 2+ projects. Open PowerShell and run:
powershell -ExecutionPolicy ByPass -c "irm https://astral.sh/uv/install.ps1 | iex"uv replaces pip and conda — it's faster and simpler. When a project needs Python packages, you'll use uv instead of pip.
Open PowerShell or Windows Terminal and run:
npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-codeThis installs Claude Code globally on your computer so you can use it from any folder.
Run claude in your terminal. It will open your browser to log in with your Claude Pro account. Once logged in, you're good to go.
claudeAlways use Opus. It's the most capable model and gets things right the first time. Sonnet is cheaper but tends to go in circles on anything complex. Set Opus as your default:
claude config set model claude-opus-4-6Or type /model inside Claude Code and select Opus.
Full documentation: Claude Code Docs
This usually means Node.js didn't get added to your PATH. Close PowerShell completely, reopen it, and try again. If it still doesn't work, uninstall Node.js, restart your computer, then reinstall it.
Try running PowerShell as Administrator: right-click PowerShell in the Start menu and choose "Run as administrator." Then run the install command again:
npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-codeMake sure you signed up for Claude Pro at claude.ai (not just a free account). If the browser doesn't open automatically, copy the URL from the terminal and paste it into your browser. If you're still stuck, try running claude logout then claude again to restart the login flow.
This is normal. Claude Code thinks carefully about your request, reads files, writes code, and tests it — all before responding. Complex tasks can take a few minutes. Be patient and let it work. If it seems truly stuck (5+ minutes with no progress), you can press Ctrl+C to cancel and try rephrasing your request.
Close PowerShell and reopen it after installing uv. If it still doesn't work, try the manual install from docs.astral.sh/uv.
Text or call: (775) 393-9865
Or check the Claude Code docs and Anthropic Discord community.
Build a working app in about 15 minutes. Claude Code walks you through every step.
We've set up starter projects with instructions already built in. You clone the repo, pick a project, and Claude Code walks you through building it — step by step, at your pace.
Open PowerShell and run:
git clone https://github.com/jabelk/ai-career-launchpad.gitNavigate into one of the starter projects. We recommend starting here:
cd ai-career-launchpad/starter-projects/re-enemy-wikiThis builds a searchable Resident Evil enemy database — horror-themed, with stats and combat tips for every creature.
Just type:
claudeClaude Code reads the project files automatically, introduces itself, explains what you're about to build, and starts walking you through it. You don't need to type a detailed prompt — just follow along and make decisions as it asks.
Claude Code builds your project in stages. After each milestone, it pauses to show you what it made and asks if you want to continue. Open index.html in your browser to see your app come together.
Here's what the RE Enemy Wiki looks like when it's built:
Your results may look different — Claude Code generates unique designs each time. That's part of the fun.
After your first project, try these:
Build custom OBS overlays — starting soon screens, BRB screens, webcam frames, countdown timers.
cd starter-projects/stream-overlayA Python tool that takes your rough game notes and turns them into polished reviews using AI. Introduces Python and API integration.
cd starter-projects/ai-game-reviewerBe patient. Claude Code reads your files, thinks about the problem, writes code, and sometimes runs it — all before responding. A complex request can take a few minutes. This is normal. Let it cook.
Be specific. The more detail you give, the better the result. Instead of "make it look cool," try "add a dark background with red accents, a horror font for headings, and a subtle fog animation in the header." Claude Code takes instructions literally — so say exactly what you want.
Iterate in small steps. Don't ask for 10 things at once. Ask for one feature, review it, then ask for the next. This gives you better results and lets you catch issues early.
Learn more about prompting Claude Code effectively:
If you don't want to clone the repo, you can build the same project manually:
mkdir re-enemy-wiki && cd re-enemy-wikiclaudeThis works, but the clone approach gives you a better experience — Claude Code will walk you through everything step by step instead of generating it all at once.
Every new project gets its own folder. Here's the pattern.
Every time you want to build something new, follow these steps:
mkdir my-new-projectcd my-new-projectclaudeThat's it. Describe what you want, and Claude Code builds it in that folder.
Before you build, write down what you want. This one habit will make you 10x more effective.
Professional developers don't just start coding — they write a plan first. It's called a "spec" (short for specification). It sounds fancy, but it's really just answering four questions before you start building.
Here's a simple template you can copy and paste into any project:
Save this as a file called spec.md in your project folder. When you start Claude Code, it will read the spec and know exactly what to build.
Want even more structure? Install GitHub Spec Kit — it adds slash commands to Claude Code for creating specs, plans, and tasks automatically. Run this in your project folder:
Say yes to the prompts and it will set everything up. Important: If you run this from inside Claude Code, you need to exit Claude Code (/exit) and reopen it for the new slash commands to load. Then you can use /speckit.specify, /speckit.plan, and more to structure your projects like a pro.
SDD Practical Guide — The full guide to spec-driven development.
GitHub Spec Kit — GitHub's official SDD toolkit.
A week-by-week plan to go from beginner to building real AI projects. All free unless noted.
Cole Medin — The big picture of what AI engineers actually do.
Cole Medin — Understand how AI apps retrieve and use information.
Cole Medin — Where AI is headed and why now is the time to start.
Cole Medin — How to give AI the right context for better results.
Cole Medin — 145K views. Real workflow, no fluff.
Cole Medin — Clone this repo and read the templates to understand project structure.
Cole Medin — Global rules, slash commands, MCP servers, subagents, hooks.
Cole Medin — 26K views. Your crash course on AI agents.
Cole Medin — Start from lesson 1. Build real AI agents step by step.
Cole Medin — 194K views. Highest-viewed n8n tutorial on YouTube.
Dynamous AI — Cole Medin's community and courses for agentic coding. Structured curriculum with community support.
Google AI Essentials — The most popular Coursera course ever. Free with financial aid (150-word application).
Google AI Professional Certificate — 7 courses + capstone, hands-on with Gemini. Free with financial aid or .edu email.
Google Career Certificates — IT Support, Data Analytics, UX Design — all no-experience, free with financial aid.
9 projects organized by difficulty. Start with Level 1 and work your way up.
A searchable database of Resident Evil enemies with stats, images, and lore from every game in the series.
You already know the domain. Pure fun, zero friction.
Custom OBS overlays with countdown timers, subscriber alerts, and animated transitions for your stream.
Directly useful for your streaming setup.
Tag and search your gaming clips by game, date, and rating. Never lose a sick clip again.
Solves a real problem for content creators.
Paste your game notes, get a polished review written in your personal style. Perfect for YouTube descriptions or blog posts.
Combines your gaming knowledge with AI prompt engineering.
Describe a video idea, get a full script with timestamps, transitions, and talking points.
Directly useful for your YouTube and streaming goals.
A Discord or WhatsApp bot that answers questions, sets reminders, and handles daily tasks for you.
A daily-driver project that shows practical AI value.
A text-based RPG with AI-generated stories, branching choices, and dynamic combat. The AI remembers your choices and adapts.
Gaming + AI agents = the perfect intersection of your interests.
Auto-generate thumbnails, titles, and descriptions. Schedule uploads across platforms. Automate your entire video workflow.
Automates your actual content creation workflow.
Watches your stream VODs, finds the most exciting moments, and auto-clips them for highlights reels.
Solves a real problem for every content creator.
Real roles, real pay, real links. No degree required for any of these.
These companies hire AI trainers with no experience. You can start earning while you learn.
| Company | Role | Pay | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| DataAnnotation.tech | AI Prompt Engineering & Evaluation | $20+/hr | Apply |
| Outlier AI | AI Trainer / Content Editor | $15-50/hr | Apply |
| Scale AI | Remote AI Trainer | ~$30/hr | Apply |
| Appen | Data Annotation / AI Training | $15-20/hr | Apply |
| Role | Salary Range | Job Links |
|---|---|---|
| AI Prompt Engineer | $88K-$216K | Indeed · ZipRecruiter · LinkedIn |
| n8n / Automation Developer | $44-$81/hr | ZipRecruiter · Glassdoor · Upwork · n8n Community |
| AI Automation Engineer | $86K-$168K | Indeed · ZipRecruiter |
No degree required. One of the most accessible AI roles.
Purely skills-based. No degree needed.
Freelance and agency roles care about results, not credentials.
| Role | Salary Range | Job Links |
|---|---|---|
| AI Agent Developer | $93K-$318K | ZipRecruiter · Indeed · Upwork |
| AI Engineer (Entry) | $109K-$130K | Indeed · LinkedIn |
| Claude / Anthropic Ecosystem | $58K-$182K | ZipRecruiter · Indeed |
Fastest growth area. Projects matter more than degrees.
A GitHub repo with a working RAG app speaks louder than a diploma.
Growing rapidly. Claude API and MCP skills in high demand.
Those game projects you're building? They can lead to real jobs in the gaming industry. No degree required — your portfolio is what matters.
| Role | Salary Range | Job Links |
|---|---|---|
| Game QA Tester (Entry-Level) | $34K-$81K | Indeed · Glassdoor · Jooble |
| Indie Game Developer (Steam / itch.io) | $81K-$179K | ZipRecruiter · Glassdoor · Indeed |
| AI Game Developer | $81K-$200K | ZipRecruiter · Indeed · Glassdoor |
No degree or experience needed. Get paid to play and break games. Remote positions available.
Build and sell your own games. Your projects on this page are literally your portfolio. Pure skills, no degree.
Combine AI skills with game dev. Build intelligent NPCs, procedural worlds, and AI-driven game mechanics.
Reno has 15,000+ tech jobs. Here are companies hiring right now with no degree required.
| Company | Role | Notes | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tesla Gigafactory (Sparks) | Manufacturing Dev Program | Paid apprenticeship, no degree required | Apply |
| Switch Data Centers | Data Center Technician | PC-building skills directly transferable | Apply |
| Amazon (Reno) | Data Center / Infrastructure Tech | 30+ openings, entry-level available | Apply |
| Panasonic Energy | Summer Internship | Paid, May-August at Gigafactory | Search |
| Vantage Data Centers (Reno) | AI Data Center Campus | $3B campus, 1,200+ jobs opening Q2 2026 | Info |
| Hamilton Company | Automated Tech / Robotics | 2,500+ workforce, HQ in Reno | Info |
Manufacturing Dev Program — Paid apprenticeship, no degree required
Google, Apple, IBM, Tesla, Amazon, Microsoft, Bank of America — all have officially dropped 4-year degree requirements for certain roles.
Skills-based hires are 30% more productive in their first six months. — McKinsey
Your GitHub profile is your new resume. Here's what recruiters actually look for.
Build these to prove you can do the job.
A chatbot that answers questions from PDFs with source citations. The single most in-demand skill right now.
CrewAI or LangGraph agents that collaborate on tasks (research agent + writer agent + editor agent). Shows you understand agentic architecture.
An n8n or Python pipeline that automates a real process — email classification, lead qualification, content generation.
Any of the above with a real UI and a live URL. Shows you can ship, not just prototype.
Documented before-and-after showing prompt optimization. Shows business awareness and analytical thinking — exactly what hiring managers want.
Structured programs that get you hired. Most are free or paid to attend.